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AOL locks out Trillian IM users

AOL locks out Trillian IM users

People using the popular Trillian software may lose access to part of AOL Time Warner's instant messaging system.
Firing another salvo in the battle over instant messaging, America Online is blocking people using the Trillian interface from linking to its AOL Instant Messenger (AIM) system.

Trillian, which allows people to access multiple instant messaging programs from one screen, has attracted nearly a million people who are hoping to streamline their use of incompatible systems, including AOL's AIM and ICQ, Yahoo's Messenger and Microsoft's MSN Messenger.

But in the past 24 hours, an elaborate game of cat and mouse has developed between AOL and Trillian creator Cerulean Studios--as the start-up has repeatedly released new software designed to get around the block, prompting AOL to rush in and stop people from using it.

Meanwhile, Trillian fans are snared in cross fire.

"AOL is being selfish," Trillian user Mike Cicciarelli said in an instant messaging exchange with News.com.

Trillian user Chris Hilbert said he's downloaded new software several times in the past day in an attempt to re-establish access with AIM. Hilbert said he uses Trillian because it's simple.

"I like that there are no ads, less bloat," said Hilbert, an Indiana University student and creator of the FileFlash Web site. "I don't have to have four different clients open."

But AOL said it's a matter of security and is framing the conflict as yet another chapter in the instant messaging wars. In recent years, AOL has clashed with other makers of IM software, including Microsoft and AT&T. Both companies tried to create systems that let people correspond with AIM users--only to have them blocked.

"It has long been our very public policy that when a service unleashes software that hacks into our system, and endangers the security of our system, we stop it," AOL spokeswoman Kathy McKiernan said.

McKiernan said that Trillian does not have a business relationship with AOL. "To the extent that consumers think they do, they were misled," McKiernan said.

Meanwhile, the creators of Trillian plan to keep up the tit-for-tat efforts. Since AOL first started blocking the software Tuesday, they have released one workaround and at least two more full downloads of Trillian.

Michael Gartenberg, a research director at Jupiter Media Metrix, called AOL's practice "predatory," but he said at least the media behemoth is consistent in blocking both large and small companies from accessing its system.

"There are no technical reasons they can't open up IM, but there are a lot of business reasons not to," Gartenberg said. "They're not going to unless they're forced to."

Another day, another release. We've fixed another AIM connectivity bug this go-around and also re-enabled the SecureIM prefs.

Thanks for your support, folks! - The Cerulean Studios Team

29 January 2002 - Trillian v0.72 Released!

(...)

29 January 2002 - AOL Connection Issues

Have a look at header picture, I added it below, it made me laugh Anyway, right now I'm using .0721, and I'm connected again to AIM. Seems that Cerulean won this round, but then again, how long can they keep this up?

The sad part about it is that I don't even have AIM-users in my contact-list... oh well

I wish to express my gratitude to the people of Italy. Thank you for inventing pizza.

In total contrast of what Oblio has said, I am grateful that you posted this news article, as for a few days now I've been getting frustrated with this damn Trillian cos it kept disconnecting me from AIM. Now I know why - damn those AOL bastards!! Thanks heaps for posting it.

Greg

\"Do you know what people are most afraid of?
What they don\'t understand.
When we don\'t understand, we turn to our assumptions.\"
-- William Forrester

"It has long been our very public policy that when a service unleashes software that hacks into our system, and endangers the security of our system, we stop it," AOL spokeswoman Kathy McKiernan said.

Unleashes software that hacks into their system....what a crock of shite. So, Kathy, will you answer my never-answered question of "When will you start actually preventing script-kiddy effort from aol?". It's supposed to be a "family-oriented" ISP yet they don't mind selling UIN lists for porn ads to people soliciting them on ICQ. And what's this 'hacking' when it's authenticating against aol servers in the same manner that AIM does? And what is this crap about "endangers the security of our system" when you consider the exploit AIM itself had?

Trillian is by far superior to any of the IM/chat clients out there and I've donated 50 bucks to date in support. I'll go donate another 50 right now just to keep them going and in the fight. I think AOL's just mad because it's two guys working on Trillian and they're smarter, better, and more proficient with the code than anyone at AOL. Good job Scott and Kevin!

To quote them (as Guus stated already):

Another day, another release. We've fixed another AIM connectivity bug this go-around and also re-enabled the SecureIM prefs.

Kiss off AOL...your IM is 'free' so it shouldn't matter if someone authenticates it along with other servers.

We the willing, led by the unknowing, have been doing the impossible for the ungrateful. We have done so much with so little for so long that we are now qualified to do just about anything with almost nothing.